Peabody Jazz Orchestra Personnel Policies

Attendance and Grading

The Peabody Jazz Orchestra is governed by the same Attendance and Grading Policy as Peabody's other large ensembles in the orchestral and voice divisions.

Instrument and Equipment Policies

Everyone is responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary instruments and equipment with them, that their instruments are fully assembled and tuned, and that they are ready to play by the scheduled starting time of the rehearsal. Any delay caused by the unpacking and assembling of instruments and other equipment is highly unprofessional, disrespectful to the ensemble and its director, and will not be tolerated. Repeated violations of this policy will result in the assessment of additional discretionary grade reduction points, and can also lead to your expulsion from the ensemble with a failing grade.

If you are in need of an auxiliary instrument which you do not personally own, in order to play an assigned part, you should let the ensemble manager know as soon as you become aware that you will need it. Flutes and clarinets; soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones; and flugelhorns are available on loan from the Ensemble Office at no charge for students who have been assigned to play them. The Ensemble Office may require a day or more to retrieve an instrument from storage, so do not wait until the last minute to request an instrument. Depending upon the needs of all Peabody ensembles for a particular type of instrument, and our available inventory of them, you may be required to share an instrument with another student. No one may use a Peabody-owned instrument without having a signed rental contract on file with the Ensemble Office. If your personal instrument is in need of repair, you should notify the Ensemble Office promptly so that a substitute instrument can be provided for you. Missing a rehearsal because your personal instrument is undergoing repair will not be excused.

Players who are using Peabody instruments and equipment are expected to treat it with care and respect. Do not make any modifications to Peabody-owned instruments or equipment beyond routine adjustments. If an instrument or other piece of equipment is in need of repair or maintenance, notify the manager of the ensemble with specific details. You are not permitted to use Peabody-owned instruments or equipment for off-campus performance engagements without the prior written approval of the Ensemble Office. Anyone who violates these policies may be held financially responsible for any loss of or damage to any Peabody-owned instruments or equipment in their possession, in addition to having their instrument and equipment borrowing privileges revoked, and may be subject to further disciplinary action.

Drummers / percussionists are responsible for setting up the drum kit, including cymbals, prior to the scheduled start of the rehearsal, and breaking it down again afterwards. It is not the responsibility of the stage crew to set up the drum kit – they are not trained as drum technicians. The Gretsch drum kit and Zildjian cymbals used for rehearsals and performances are stored on a rolling cart which accommodates the drums, cymbal bag and other hardware, and remains in the locked equipment room near B28 when not in use. The stage crew will move the loaded cart into B28 approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled start of each rehearsal, and return it to the storage room afterwards.

If a vibraphone is being used for the program being rehearsed, it is the responsibility of one of the drummer/percussionists to move it from the 2nd floor jazz studio or practice room down to B28 prior to the scheduled starting time of the rehearsal, and to return it afterwards. Take care when moving the vibraphone and do not roll it over uneven surfaces such as doorjambs – lift it over such obstacles one end at a time to avoid damage to the frame. Do not place equipment on top of the vibraphone; it is not a transportation device.

Guitarists and Bassists are responsible for ensuring that the amplifiers they are using for rehearsals are connected and ready to play prior to the scheduled starting time of the rehearsal. One bass amplifier and one guitar amplifier are stored in the locked equipment room near B28, and will be moved into B28 by the stage crew approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the rehearsal, and returned to the equipment room afterwards. It is not the responsibility of the stage crew to connect the equipment. If different equipment is preferred, it is the responsibility of the player to ensure that it is moved to B28 and connected prior to the scheduled start of the rehearsal, and returned to its proper place afterwards.

All rhythm section players who make use of Peabody-owned equipment will be expected to decide among themselves which player shall be designated to arrive early enough before the scheduled start of the rehearsal to ensure that the equipment they will be sharing is set up. It is expected that this responsibility will be delegated fairly and shared equitably within the section. If equipment is not ready to play at the scheduled start of the rehearsal, each player who shares the use of that equipment will be considered late to the rehearsal.

Dress Code for Peabody Jazz Orchestra Performances

Men: Dark slacks, dark dress shirt, dark socks and dress shoes. No jeans, T-shirts, or sneakers are allowed. All black is preferred, but dark gray, charcoal, or navy are also acceptable. Jackets and ties are optional and, if worn, should coordinate with the rest of your outfit.

Women: Dark slacks or skirt and blouse/top combination, or predominantly dark dress, and dark dress shoes. No jeans or sneakers are allowed. All black is preferred, but dark gray, charcoal, or navy are also acceptable. Excessively revealing or tight clothing is not permitted.